Program Operations Manual System (POMS)

GN 00307.671 Claimant Submits a Birth Certificate Issued by a Local Civil Registry Official in Mexico

Absent information to the contrary, SSA accepts a birth certificate which was issued by a local civil registry official in Mexico and appears to have been established before age 5 as shown in GN 00307.671A.2. and GN 00307.671A.3.

DB is not material to the payment of benefits (e.g., a B2 or E claim); or

Use a proof code (PF) of “A” to show the date of birth has not been established. Show in red “BC NOT VERIFIED BY FSP” on the back of the birth certificate. Development as outlined in GN 00307.671B.will be necessary if age later becomes a factor of entitlement.

If the conditions in GN 00307.671A.1. and GN 00307.671A.2. are not met, get secondary evidence of the type listed in GN 00302.100B. which was recorded at least 5 years before the claimant first filed for benefits. (This may include an SS-5 or numident showing the claimant filed for an SSN and gave the same DB.)

NOTE: This secondary evidence can include a document issued by a local civil authority in Mexico if the:

Document was issued at least 5 years before the claimant initially filed for benefits; or

Source record was examined by an FSP representative. ( Do not request verification of Mexican evidence just to meet this requirement.)

Convincing evidence (as explained in GN 00302.115, GN 00302.118 and GN 00302.125 for claimants residing in the U.S. and GN 00307.150 for claimants outside the U.S.) shows a DB which would entitle the claimant to benefits; and

The claimant meets all the requirements for entitlement to benefits by all the DBs in file.

Advise the claimant that the birth certificate is being verified and the DB can be changed based on the investigation results.